Reviews

Geek Alert! What is Tibouren and why should you care? Basically it is an heirloom variety grown in Provence. It's not particularly easy to work with like Grenache and Syrah so many producers have shied away from using it. Our friends at Clos Cibonne have made amazing roses that are Tibouren based and are some of the most ageworthy in the region. They sell out quickly each year. For the second time ever, we have the Rouge and what a treat! It is loaded with notes of white and pink peppercorns. Brush floral notes and red fruit dominate the palate. There is a fresh tilled earthiness as well. Great acidity and more weight on the palate than you would expect. Really special wine for you adventuresome drinkers out there.

We just got more of this back in stock and man is this developing beautifully. The vintage is classically structured, showing a subtle
perfume of blackberries, figs and dried rose petals. The wine has fine tannins and is perfectly balanced. Another classic Rhone wine from our friends at Montfaucon!

The Fornacina is a real standout for me. Beautiful notes of roasted currants, black plum and raspberries. There is a sexy game note and fresh tilled earth to round out the nose. On the palate it is generous and the tannins supple. I drank this with my homemade bolognese which I made on the spicier side. Ground beef is the base, I substituted hot Italian sausage for the pork and added a little ground chicken liver instead of pancetta because I like the earthy flavor it imparts. Served over pappardelle with this wine? Perfection!!

This has a great nose of crushed herbs and bing cherries. On the palate the wine is compact but after aeration it begins to unwind and develop real complexity. Put a few away as the Canalicchio is built for the cellar.

I love the Teutonic wines. They are distinctive, well made wines that show real integrity. The "Crow Valley" Riesling has that same integrity. Full of vibrant lime fruit with stony notes. Low alcohol and dry on the finish. Classy and worthy to be ranked among the finest producers of Austria and Germany.

Every year, this is one of my favorite Pinots from Oregon. Full of a lovely perfume of violets, crushed herbs and tart cherries, it is what I really look for in Willamette Pinots. Pure and elegant. Not your soft quaffer, this is best with a meal but what a great accent point for any dish.

Super cool find from Christie Brunick, our Domestic buyer here in SoCal. This 100% Mourvedre delivers the goods with its brawny mouthfeel, reminding me of the texture of a great Bandol. Where it departs is the generosity of fruit. Sweet blueberry jam and currants lift the nose and make this a more overt and accessible wine. Tons of spice and complexity here. Great for big braises now or put it away for a couple of years and be well rewarded.

Jean-Baptiste Meunier is the fifth generation winemaker behind the great property of Moulin de la Gardette in the Rhone region of Gigondas. We have been working with him since the mid-90s and the wines have always been some of our favorites from the area. The region itself has stepped out of the shadow of neighboring Chateauneuf du Pape, creating wines of intensity and flavor that are distinctly their own. Gigondas has more south facing slopes and higher elevations as well as varied soils that help distinguish the region. In March, we visited Jean Baptiste (JB) to catch up and see what was new at the property. While there, we did lots of barrel tasting which just proved there are many spectacular wines to expect over the next few years. Unsurprisingly, though the 2012 “Tradition” was one of the rock stars of the tasting. The wine, as in most years, is a blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre, 5% Cinsault and 5% Syrah. Grapes are hand harvested and destemmed. The wine is fermented in concrete tanks and aged in older oak barrels. Everything that JB does is geared towards preserving the fruit integrity of the wines. We think you’ll agree. The “Tradition” is classic Gigondas, loaded with sweet red and black fruit flavors. Aromas of Chinese five spice powder and tobacco are prevalent as well. The wine is medium- to full-bodied with fine tannins and an elegant finish. Serve this delicious wine with meats right off the grill. I’m partial to a little tri-tip or maybe a rack of lamb. If you want to get a little creative, try it with some roasted monkfish with a little olive tapenade spooned over the top.

On a visit to Puech Haut earlier this year, I was extremely excited to taste this wine. Having been newly bottled, it was tight but the wine showed great potential. Now that it has landed here in the States, a retaste shows how much it has unwound and potential has become reality. Its light color may make you think this is a delicate rosé, but it has such glycerol weight to it; it's deceptive. The concentration of aromas is layered showing nectarine, Red Delicious apples, peach pits and white flowers. More full bodied, that's where the 100% Mourvedre seem to kick in, it finishes long. One of the best rosés of the year!

Just a stone's throw from the Cote Rotie appellation, this "baby" Rotie has all the hallmarks of the region without the hefty price tag. Couple that with one of the great young producers in the Northern Rhone and you have a remarkably complex and exciting Syrah for an equally great price. Full of violets, black pepper and brambly berry fruit, this lingers and delights on the palate. Perfect for the summertime grill or a cool night braise. Utterly delicious.

For fans of last year's Abbaye St. Hilaire, look no further! Same producer, virtually the same wine with new packaging. A touch richer than your average Provencal wine, this has more red cherry and ripe strawberry fruit. A nice core of wet stone gives the wine focus. Lovely acid keeps it balanced. Perfect for summer!

The l'Origine is a wild and sexy wine. The Syrah truly comes through but not in a northern Rhone style. It has much more suppleness and sweetness to round out the spice and game meat flavors. Full of rich black fruit, a heavy dose of wild herbs, some trampled violets, alder smoke, roasted antelope and fresh tilled earth. Like I said, wild and sexy. Keep this around for a few years if you can but if you drink it now (or then) how about some braised lamb shanks to go with this beauty.

When I first tasted the Lolo, I was surprised at the level of complexity for this entry-level wine. The old vine Carignan really shines through with its sense of freshness, bright raspberry fruit, notes of garrigue and peppery spice. A real treat!

The quality of the Cedre wines is unparalleled in Cahors. Their top cuvees are powerful long lived wines but they are often quite expensive. The "Heritage" offers that quality for a much more reasonable price. When I taste a wine like this it's no wonder that my own personal bias for Malbec leans French. The primary distinction between this and its Argentine counterparts is more structure, more minerality, and more restraint. The "Heritage" has aromas of black plum, currants and violets. The palate unfolds with flavors of bittersweet chocolate, black raspberries and graphite. Though tannins are present there's a lot of finesse here. That makes this wine quite delicious now with no fear of cellaring for a couple of years. Tremendous!

Beautiful aromatics of peach skins, honeysuckle and crushed rocks dominate the nose of this exquisite Condrieu. I generally don't go crazy for Condrieu but this one has the balance and acidity to make it more pleasurable and less heavy than many of its counterparts. Perfect as an aperitif or maybe a salad of grilled peaches, arugula and burrata cheese.

Maybe not the most traditional of Barolos but that's not what I'm looking for here. This is a forward drinking style with flavors of cherry compote, fresh cut flowers and a fine juicy finish. That nebbiolo structure comes out on the palate though and it lingers. For under $20, a half dozen of these sounds about right for me. Three to drink near term and three to discover down the road. I think you'll really be pleased, I know I will.

If old school is more your bag, look no further than this traditional but forward wine. Great notes of crushed herbs, potpourri and maraska cherries. A few years down should be well rewarded but with tannins this fine it is accessible now. Serve with a lamb sugo over some fresh pappardelle.

The "Le V" has all the elements of a flagship wine: Deep rich, dark brambly fruit. A polished forward style with blackberry, currant and fig compote notes. A depth of flavor balanced with aromas of garrigue and spice. It is hard to resist this promising red now but a year or two in the cellar will also be rewarded.

Possibly my favorite rose of the summer but surely in my top 5! The Dupuy de Lome has all the hallmarks of Bandol rosé with its rich texture but also has a sinewy acidity that provides serious structure to this wine. Where this really departs from the pack is the intensity of the nose. Not explosive but layered, each whiff is something new. Maybe a little ruby grapefruit, next some tangerine, and how about a little ripe strawberry--I found casaba melon this time! But it doesn't end with fruit, peach blossom and peonies emerge on the nose, succulent stones on the palate. Even the snozberries taste like snozberries. For serious drinkers of rosé, look no further. As good or better than Tempier for almost half the price!

The big boy of rosé appellations, Tavel is a terrific, weightier alternative to the Provencal style. Deep with red cherry fruit notes and more weight on the palate, this is fuller bodied style. Don't mistake its color for sweetness or fruitiness though, this is the richer side of the rosé spectrum, making it ideal for richer oilier fish dishes, roasted chickens or even grilled meats.

The biggest boy of all Tavel producers, Mordoree is iconic. Deep red fruit flavors, full bodied, and layered. The "La Dame Rousse" sits just behind their top wine the "Reine des Bois" but is every bit as good for a lower price. For you serious rosé fans out there, this is not to be missed!

A delightful everyday red can be found here in the "Victor." It is a classic Rhone-style blend with juicy ripe red and black fruit. It has spicy notes and a touch of garrigue giving it that Mediterranean feel. This is perfect for parties, picnics and barbecues. You'll leave with a bottle and come back for a case.

This little white has the classic dynamics of a fresh and well fruited Cotes-du-Rhone blanc. It has juicy lively stone fruit flavors with a touch of minerality in the finish. So pleasing and so delicious. A great warm weather sipper for porch sitting.

With a touch more weight, this rose from the Languedoc has a riper more red fruit driven style. Don't ever think sweeter though. This is just a richer more deeper flavored rose than many of its Provencal counterparts.

One of our best values in Viognier, don't think of this as a Condrieu knock off though. It is complete with pretty tropical notes and some lively peach blossom as well. It is not overtly fruity like some more modern styles but this walks the line between fruit and minerality. Long on finish and short on price, a great value all around. Serve this with some grilled halibut with a little mango/peach chutney.

Made from 100% Rolle aka Vermentino, this is a crisp, yet cerebral style of white. Similar to the Cassis blancs from the neighboring region, this is stone fruit driven with lots of mineral notes. Spend an hour contemplating this as a lovely aperitif or serve it with some fresh shucked clams. A perfect foil for their sweeter meat.

From the cru of Sainte Victoire comes this pristine rose. A beautiful mineral driven style with notes of citrus, crushed rocks and white flowers. Great intensity and made for food. Serve with creamy aioli and crudités for the classic summer experience.

Every vintage this is a crowd pleaser and the 2013 is no exception. A perfume of red raspberries, rose petals and garrigue emanate from the glass. Medium + bodied with sweet tannins, this is a fine red to pair with all the backyard barbecues and summer picnics out there.

It was a bit of a cold and rainy day when I visited the cooperative that produces the Montmassot. We cruised around and toured the vineyards for an hour before we did the thing that all Picpoul demands - drink it with oysters! We had oysters three different ways: raw with a mignonette; baked with sauteed fennel and cheese; and broiled with a gorgeous aioli. Wow!! I really began to understand beyond the brightness and freshness of the wine. This is a wine from a region famous for its oysters and the wine paired perfectly with every permutation of that food. Vibrant and clean with notes of pink grapefruit and green apples on the palate. The finish is full of salty sea air. I think you know what you're supposed to do next...

From the off the radar appellation of Pic St. Loup in the Languedoc comes this awesome blend of Grenache and Syrah! The wine shows copious amounts of brambly black fruit with notes of blueberry, cassis and Chambord. Tobacco and spice emerge in the glass with deep minerality. The "Closerie" has that rich concentration that keeps you engaged with flavors that unfold over the course of hours. Definitely cellar worthy but it has so much sexy fruit and spice, it's hard to resist now. Puech Haut is one of the great producers of the Languedoc and for a wine of this quality at this price we don't expect it to last long.

One of the most pleasing rosés of the entire season, the La Chapelle Saint Victor is at once expressive and beautifully balanced. Full of strawberry and ruby grapefruit aromas, a taste of fresh cut melon rounds out the flavors. Just explodes from the glass and says "Drink Me! Drink lots of ME!!"

I visited Villa Symposia in February of this year and was delighted by the classic style and beautiful terroir of the vineyards. The Equilibre shows classic flavors of chocolate covered cherries, tobacco, baking spices and earthy loam. The fruit is sweet but not too much so. It has length and finesse. It is immediately appealing and has enough stuffing to develop for a few years. I tasted the wine on three separate occasions before fully committing to it and was drawn in each time. I have tasted it twice now since it landed here in the states and I am pleased to say it was worth the wait. Serve this beauty with grilled lamb and roasted vegetables. Or even better, the dish they served it with at the winery, a stew of lentils and ham with garlicky sausage. Perfection!

The Chateaus de Peyrassol is one of the super stars of the rosé season. Every year this wine shows wonderful complexity, length and layers of flavors. Subtle and honest rosé like this should be revered. Drink some now and put a couple away for next year. You will be well rewarded.

The wines of Corsica are usually quite delicious but often very expensive. Hard to find your way to the region on a budget. We were fortunate to find this little gem of a rosé from a local growers association on the island and for an incredibly low price! It is bright with strawberry and raspberry notes. Plenty of acidity and notes of fresh green melon and minerals. A hint of sea breeze in the finish and it's like you're touring the island. Don't miss it!

The "Victor" rosé is so inviting and so generous with its candied strawberry and watermelon nose. On the palate, citrus flavors take hold and evolve into a nice mineral finish. I can see myself sitting by the pool and drinking a case of this wine over the summer. You should too!

What a perfect rendition of Vacqueyras. Beautiful, rich cherry on the palate with tobacco notes and exotic spices. Long on the flavors and minerality. This will have a long life in the cellar but is immediately accessible now. It's truly the goods! Serve with roasted meats.

The l'Hortus "Montferrand" upon first glance does not seem like the prototypical white from the south of France nor is it trying to be. It is, however, an exquisite, world-class expression of Chardonnay that also happens to have some Viognier blended in. It has expressive aromas of pear tartine, white flowers and Golden Delicious apples. On the palate notes of nectarine, peach cobbler and succulent minerality emerge. There is magnificent acidity and a truly long finish. Typical of an average Languedoc white? NO! Way better.

Guigal is still the benchmark producer in the Rhone Valley, and one of the greatest testaments to their success is not in the single parcel Cote Roties or Hermitage wines they produce, it's here at the entry level with their delicious Cotes du Rhone wines. The CDR Blanc is a blend of 65% Viognier, 15% Roussanne, 10% Marsanne, 8% Clairette and 2% Bourboulenc. It is fresh and clean with notes of white flowers, apricots and white peaches. Try it with grilled salmon and a mango chutney. Perfect for warm weather sipping.

You may scratch your head and wonder why you would pay $50 for German Pinot Noir, but that would probably be because you haven't tasted the wines of Meyer Nakel. I have had this wine many times over the years and it has always impressed, but today when I tasted it, I was moved. Not only was it expressive and complex, it was resonant. The wine lingered with me. I tasted about 40 wines in a line-up and this was the one I wanted to come back to. This was the wine that I was drawn to. So again, pay $50 for a German Pinot Noir? You'd be a fool not to.

The second wine from Dominus is always a little more forward and fleshy than its big brother. The 2012 is no different, and I couldn't be happier. Think about the deep rich fruit, supple tannins and loads of currants and blackberries. Basically, baby Dominus, that you can drink now, and one-third the price. Sold!

This is the consummate summer rosé. It is fully fruited, with pretty strawberry and raspberry notes. A nice streak of grapefruit citrus keeps it focused. I first had this in January out of tank and was delighted by its freshness. Now that it is in bottle and newly arrived it is showing even more intensity. This is a lot of rosé for such a good price.

This is the consummate summer rosé. It is fully fruited with pretty strawberry and raspberry notes. A nice streak of grapefruit citrus keeps it focused. This is a lot of rosé for such a good price. Be the hit of every party and picnic you attend this summer. Not only is the bottle impressive, so is the wine!